1500-Word Progressive Era Essay
Budget: $30 – $250 USD
I’m looking for a well-researched, 1,500-word academic essay that evaluates how effective the Progressive Era was in achieving its goals, with a clear emphasis on social and economic reforms. Alongside that thematic focus, please weave in a thoughtful discussion of key figures—spotlighting Jane Addams as the primary example of Progressive leadership.
Scope and content
• Analyse major social reforms (settlement houses, child-labour regulation, public health initiatives) and core economic reforms (antitrust actions, labour protections, banking changes).
• Assess measurable impacts and lingering shortcomings rather than simply describing policies.
• Integrate Jane Addams’ contributions—both her grassroots work at Hull House and her broader influence on social legislation—as a case study illustrating successes and limitations.
• Where relevant, you may reference other leading Progressives to provide contrast, but the narrative should keep Addams centre stage.
Research and writing requirements
• Minimum of six reputable secondary sources (peer-reviewed articles, primary documents, or scholarly books).
• Academic tone, clear thesis, logical structure, and smooth transitions between sections.
• Proper in-text citations and a full bibliography in any standard style (MLA, APA, or Chicago acceptable—choose one and use it consistently).
• Original work only; all submissions will be checked for plagiarism.
Deliverable
A single, proof-read document (Word or Google Doc) of roughly 1,500 words, including bibliography, delivered within the agreed deadline.
If you have experience writing on U.S. history or Progressive Era topics, briefly note it when you express interest, and feel free to suggest additional angles that would strengthen the essay while staying within the specified focus.
Objective: Analyze sources from your week of leading discussion in a 5-page paper. You should start by reading the sample paper in the module.S
One of the challenges of being a historian is being limited to the sources you have available. This writing assignment will place you in the role of a historian who has to make a sound argument that can be supported by a limited amount and scope of sources.
Paper is due one week after you lead discussion unless there is a JMU break. Details: Discussion Info: Leading, Paper, Participation
Writing center verification must be submitted with the paper by the due date to earn the 5 extra points and must meet the criteria detailed below.
5 point penalty per calendar day for late papers
AI use is strictly prohibited for the paper. Plagiarism, AI use, and other forms of academic dishonesty on this assignment will result in a 0 for the paper and a report to the honor council. It is nearly impossible to pass this class without submitting a paper.
Paper is typically due one week after your group leads discussion. Papers are an individual grade, and no AI tools should be used in any way, or you will be reported to the JMU Honor Council for academic dishonesty and will receive a 0 on the assignment. (I know some professors don't report, but I do.)
CITATION AND BIBLIOGRAPHY:
All sources used must be cited within the paper using Chicago style with the shortened notes and bibliography format: https://guides.lib.jmu.edu/ld.php?content_id=43038951. Footnotes or endnotes are acceptable. This site has helpful tips and a citation generator: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/chicago_manual_17th_edition/cmos_formatting_and_style_guide/chicago_manual_of_style_17th_edition.htmlLinks to an external site..
Not citing sources is considered plagiarism and will earn a 0 on the paper and a potential honor code report, so educate yourself and get help if needed to avoid plagiarism: https://www.jmu.edu/uwc/link-library/citation-sources/defining-plagiarism.shtml. The University Writing Center has a lot of great resources online, and you can earn 5 extra points by visiting them as you work on your paper; see details about extra points at the end of this page: https://www.jmu.edu/uwc/index.shtml.
If you use a book or journal article with page numbers, you must include the page numbers used for the paper to receive credit. All sources cited must be credible, verifiable, and appropriate for academic work, including page numbers when appropriate. See your instructor if you have questions about this.
You may be required to have an oral review of your paper or provide documentation showing your work on the paper if AI is suspected. You may use tools for grammar only; tools that change your wording on the paper are not allowed. Please ask in advance if you need clarification.
LENGTH AND SOURCE REQUIREMENTS:
Paper should be 1500-2000 words (somewhere between 4-6 full pages) to adequately fulfill the requirement. Please use 12 point Times New-Roman, double spaced. Cover page is not required.
You must use at least 2 sources from your week of discussion leading (these can be from the class reading and/or items you were sent to help you lead discussion) and then further research an aspect from your piece of history that you found interesting. You should have 2 research sources (secondary sources) in addition to the 2 primary sources mentioned above (4 sources total). Your thesis statement should be based on what you discover about the two sources you choose. Use direct quotes from the PRIMARY SOURCES only to support your argument; you should paraphrase secondary sources.
Connection to class: You must draw direct, clear, insightful connections between the ideas discussed in class and the evidence presented in the paper. Lecture notes are cited appropriately and enhance the argument or analysis. This is a chunk of your paper grade.
Citing lecture notes:
If you are citing a class lecture, include your professor's name, title of the lecture in quotation marks, the course number and name and the location and date.
Ex. for bib: Harding, Jeannie. "Colonial Economy." HIST 225: United States History. Class lecture at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, January 21, 2018.
Ex. for citation footnote: 4. Harding, “Colonial Economy.”
Check out the course guide the library has compiled for us as a place to start: https://guides.lib.jmu.edu/hist225harding
Please consult the rubric in this module as you write, proofread, and edit your paper.
There is a sample paper from a previous semester in this module that is SIMILAR to your assignment but not exactly the same. The citations in the sample are not correct, so be sure you check the formatting using the link above for Chicago style. This sample may give you some help on how to integrate sources and use the quotes.
Extra points from the writing center:
You can earn 5 points extra credit if you consult the writing center and attach verification with your paper when you turn it in. You have to do the following to earn credit:
1) Meet with the writing center at least two days before the paper's due date.
2) You must fully participate in the session. This means you can't just sit there playing on your phone while the tutor talks. You should be taking notes, making edits (potentially), and actively involved in a conversation about your writing. The session must be at least 20 minutes.
3) Prove the date you met with the tutor by taking a screenshot of your completed appointment form or uploading a pic of the writing center’s verification form (make sure the appointment date is visible). Either at the end of the session or sometime afterward, you can screenshot the last few exchanges of the chat, which would show the timestamp of the length of the session. For privacy reasons, please do not send me the entire transcript. Please copy and paste these to the end of your paper before you submit it on Canvas. You will not receive credit if it’s not with the assignment by the due date (in other words, do not email it to me separately; I will not accept it).
Details about the University Writing Center can be found here: https://www.jmu.edu/uwc.
The tutor may give you a UWC form, or they can sign the following.
This certifies that _______________________ (student’s name) visited the writing center on ______________ (date) for ___________________length of time.
______________________________________ (tutor’s signature)
RUBRIC
Thesis Statement
Clear and concise thesis statement that presents a specific argument or historical interpretation.
Thesis is well-developed, engaging, and directly addresses the paper's topic.
10 pts
Use of Primary Sources
Excellent integration of two primary sources from the week's discussion (or sources provided by the instructor).
Primary sources are relevant, well-analyzed, and used effectively to support the thesis.
20 pts
Use of Secondary Sources
Excellent integration of two secondary sources.
Secondary sources are relevant, well-cited, and provide strong support for the thesis.
15 pts
Connection to Course Lectures
Paper synthesizes information from lecture with primary sources.
Clear, insightful connections are drawn between the ideas discussed in class and the evidence presented in the paper.
Lecture notes are cited appropriately and enhance the argument or analysis.
20 pts
Citation and Bibliography
A complete and well-organized bibliography is included with all necessary details.
All sources are cited using correct Chicago-style footnotes.
No AI-generated sources are used; all materials are credible, verifiable, and appropriate for academic work, including page numbers when appropriate.
20 pts
Style, Grammar, Organization, Clarity
Paper is well-structured with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Paragraphs flow logically, and there is a strong connection between ideas.
Writing is clear, concise, and engaging.
Language and style are appropriate for an academic paper.
Virtually error-free in terms of grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
15 pts
Scope and content
• Analyse major social reforms (settlement houses, child-labour regulation, public health initiatives) and core economic reforms (antitrust actions, labour protections, banking changes).
• Assess measurable impacts and lingering shortcomings rather than simply describing policies.
• Integrate Jane Addams’ contributions—both her grassroots work at Hull House and her broader influence on social legislation—as a case study illustrating successes and limitations.
• Where relevant, you may reference other leading Progressives to provide contrast, but the narrative should keep Addams centre stage.
Research and writing requirements
• Minimum of six reputable secondary sources (peer-reviewed articles, primary documents, or scholarly books).
• Academic tone, clear thesis, logical structure, and smooth transitions between sections.
• Proper in-text citations and a full bibliography in any standard style (MLA, APA, or Chicago acceptable—choose one and use it consistently).
• Original work only; all submissions will be checked for plagiarism.
Deliverable
A single, proof-read document (Word or Google Doc) of roughly 1,500 words, including bibliography, delivered within the agreed deadline.
If you have experience writing on U.S. history or Progressive Era topics, briefly note it when you express interest, and feel free to suggest additional angles that would strengthen the essay while staying within the specified focus.
Objective: Analyze sources from your week of leading discussion in a 5-page paper. You should start by reading the sample paper in the module.S
One of the challenges of being a historian is being limited to the sources you have available. This writing assignment will place you in the role of a historian who has to make a sound argument that can be supported by a limited amount and scope of sources.
Paper is due one week after you lead discussion unless there is a JMU break. Details: Discussion Info: Leading, Paper, Participation
Writing center verification must be submitted with the paper by the due date to earn the 5 extra points and must meet the criteria detailed below.
5 point penalty per calendar day for late papers
AI use is strictly prohibited for the paper. Plagiarism, AI use, and other forms of academic dishonesty on this assignment will result in a 0 for the paper and a report to the honor council. It is nearly impossible to pass this class without submitting a paper.
Paper is typically due one week after your group leads discussion. Papers are an individual grade, and no AI tools should be used in any way, or you will be reported to the JMU Honor Council for academic dishonesty and will receive a 0 on the assignment. (I know some professors don't report, but I do.)
CITATION AND BIBLIOGRAPHY:
All sources used must be cited within the paper using Chicago style with the shortened notes and bibliography format: https://guides.lib.jmu.edu/ld.php?content_id=43038951. Footnotes or endnotes are acceptable. This site has helpful tips and a citation generator: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/chicago_manual_17th_edition/cmos_formatting_and_style_guide/chicago_manual_of_style_17th_edition.htmlLinks to an external site..
Not citing sources is considered plagiarism and will earn a 0 on the paper and a potential honor code report, so educate yourself and get help if needed to avoid plagiarism: https://www.jmu.edu/uwc/link-library/citation-sources/defining-plagiarism.shtml. The University Writing Center has a lot of great resources online, and you can earn 5 extra points by visiting them as you work on your paper; see details about extra points at the end of this page: https://www.jmu.edu/uwc/index.shtml.
If you use a book or journal article with page numbers, you must include the page numbers used for the paper to receive credit. All sources cited must be credible, verifiable, and appropriate for academic work, including page numbers when appropriate. See your instructor if you have questions about this.
You may be required to have an oral review of your paper or provide documentation showing your work on the paper if AI is suspected. You may use tools for grammar only; tools that change your wording on the paper are not allowed. Please ask in advance if you need clarification.
LENGTH AND SOURCE REQUIREMENTS:
Paper should be 1500-2000 words (somewhere between 4-6 full pages) to adequately fulfill the requirement. Please use 12 point Times New-Roman, double spaced. Cover page is not required.
You must use at least 2 sources from your week of discussion leading (these can be from the class reading and/or items you were sent to help you lead discussion) and then further research an aspect from your piece of history that you found interesting. You should have 2 research sources (secondary sources) in addition to the 2 primary sources mentioned above (4 sources total). Your thesis statement should be based on what you discover about the two sources you choose. Use direct quotes from the PRIMARY SOURCES only to support your argument; you should paraphrase secondary sources.
Connection to class: You must draw direct, clear, insightful connections between the ideas discussed in class and the evidence presented in the paper. Lecture notes are cited appropriately and enhance the argument or analysis. This is a chunk of your paper grade.
Citing lecture notes:
If you are citing a class lecture, include your professor's name, title of the lecture in quotation marks, the course number and name and the location and date.
Ex. for bib: Harding, Jeannie. "Colonial Economy." HIST 225: United States History. Class lecture at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, January 21, 2018.
Ex. for citation footnote: 4. Harding, “Colonial Economy.”
Check out the course guide the library has compiled for us as a place to start: https://guides.lib.jmu.edu/hist225harding
Please consult the rubric in this module as you write, proofread, and edit your paper.
There is a sample paper from a previous semester in this module that is SIMILAR to your assignment but not exactly the same. The citations in the sample are not correct, so be sure you check the formatting using the link above for Chicago style. This sample may give you some help on how to integrate sources and use the quotes.
Extra points from the writing center:
You can earn 5 points extra credit if you consult the writing center and attach verification with your paper when you turn it in. You have to do the following to earn credit:
1) Meet with the writing center at least two days before the paper's due date.
2) You must fully participate in the session. This means you can't just sit there playing on your phone while the tutor talks. You should be taking notes, making edits (potentially), and actively involved in a conversation about your writing. The session must be at least 20 minutes.
3) Prove the date you met with the tutor by taking a screenshot of your completed appointment form or uploading a pic of the writing center’s verification form (make sure the appointment date is visible). Either at the end of the session or sometime afterward, you can screenshot the last few exchanges of the chat, which would show the timestamp of the length of the session. For privacy reasons, please do not send me the entire transcript. Please copy and paste these to the end of your paper before you submit it on Canvas. You will not receive credit if it’s not with the assignment by the due date (in other words, do not email it to me separately; I will not accept it).
Details about the University Writing Center can be found here: https://www.jmu.edu/uwc.
The tutor may give you a UWC form, or they can sign the following.
This certifies that _______________________ (student’s name) visited the writing center on ______________ (date) for ___________________length of time.
______________________________________ (tutor’s signature)
RUBRIC
Thesis Statement
Clear and concise thesis statement that presents a specific argument or historical interpretation.
Thesis is well-developed, engaging, and directly addresses the paper's topic.
10 pts
Use of Primary Sources
Excellent integration of two primary sources from the week's discussion (or sources provided by the instructor).
Primary sources are relevant, well-analyzed, and used effectively to support the thesis.
20 pts
Use of Secondary Sources
Excellent integration of two secondary sources.
Secondary sources are relevant, well-cited, and provide strong support for the thesis.
15 pts
Connection to Course Lectures
Paper synthesizes information from lecture with primary sources.
Clear, insightful connections are drawn between the ideas discussed in class and the evidence presented in the paper.
Lecture notes are cited appropriately and enhance the argument or analysis.
20 pts
Citation and Bibliography
A complete and well-organized bibliography is included with all necessary details.
All sources are cited using correct Chicago-style footnotes.
No AI-generated sources are used; all materials are credible, verifiable, and appropriate for academic work, including page numbers when appropriate.
20 pts
Style, Grammar, Organization, Clarity
Paper is well-structured with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Paragraphs flow logically, and there is a strong connection between ideas.
Writing is clear, concise, and engaging.
Language and style are appropriate for an academic paper.
Virtually error-free in terms of grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
15 pts